Craftybellydancer

January 2012 Card Class

2012-01-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

The first card technique class of 2012!!! This month's class we will be using the BigShot a lot! When I was contemplating purchasing a BigShot I wondered if I would use this machine a lot or if it would just collect dust in my craft/dance room. Boy do I use this machine; I love it!!! I use it for not only my card making I also use it for making flowers by cutting material and flattening bottle caps for jewelry and altered art.

Below are this months techniques and cards you will be making in class.

Group shot of all cards: Emboss embossing, Faux fabric, Bargello and Crimped diamond

Bargello technique is using paper to create a design background.

Crimped diamond is a cool background using a crimper to create a cool design. I embellished the card so much you really can't see the directional design on the background.

Emboss embossing technique is using embossing powder over a dry embossed texture. I used a glitter embossing powder to give the dry embossing a little sparkle.

Faux fabric technique is making the background look like fabric. I punched squares of paper and applied them in a quilt like design to card stuck and used an embossing folder to give it a look of fabric.

This Friday I will be teaching a technique class at the Mesa Art's Center. Techniques will include: Black Magic, Distressed Glue, Faux Title and Easel Card
Next month's class in my home studio will be cards celebrating Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm calling it the minor holiday card class :-)

At the Mesa Arts Center I will be teaching the following techniques: Direct to Paper, Misting with Markers and Diamond Fold Card

Craft Classes for 2012

2012-01-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!!

I finally had time to sit down and figure out what I'm going to be teaching in my home studio for 2012! Below are topics and dates for these classes.

I think I got a little crazy with the alter style classes this year with teaching new techniques using distress inks, alcohol inks, fax soldering, colleaguing and more; I can't wait to show you all the new techniques and new tools we will be using.

Class Schedule

January 21st - Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Bargello, Crimped Diamond, Double Embossing, Faux Fabric, and Free Standing Card.

February 11th – Minor holiday cards, Valentine, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving.You can substitute birthday, thank you, etc. for any of the cards and learn some new techniques.

March 10th – Tags!We will be making tags and learning some techniques with distressing inks and put them all together to make a tag mini album.

April 14th – Bayered Embossing Technique – we will use this technique to create cards, tags and more.

May 12th - Colleaguing; we will create a one page book using lots of techniques with tags, collage, distress inks and embellishments.We will turn these one page books into a star book.

June 9th - Cigar Box - we will have fun making a cigar box into a purse or a handing box to hold what ever needs holding ;-)

July 14th - More flowers - we will create flowers from paper, material and more to embellish cards, hair, scrapbooks, albums and more.

August 11th - Faux Soldering - we will be creating pendants to wear, use in crafting for cards, tags, books and more.

September 8th - Alcohol Inks - learn fun techniques using alcohol inks on paper, glass, dominoes and more.

October 13th - Holiday cards - we will be making 5 holiday cards from "oh how cute" to the "classic" card and of course a shaker card :-)

November 10th - More Boxes - we will be making several boxes in all shapes and sizes with a few unusual shapes.

December 8th - 2013 Calendar

Enjoy your week and hope to see you in class...

More Flowers for Saturday's Class

2011-12-08T17:18:00.000-08:00

I finally figured out what flowers I wanted to make for Saturday's class. I love the Lollipop Flowers and went crazy making them. I started making a Roll Flower but didn't like the way they turned out and another flower that I wasn't getting into so I created a Fluffy Flower and went crazy making them also in a couple of different styles.

Below are photos of the Lollipop Flowers and the Fluffy Flowers I made. Ladies we are using fire to create the Lollipop Flowers so please do not burn my house down! :0) I will have a bucket of water near by just in case :-)

Group shot of the Lollipop Flowers

Blue flower with black bead & feather accents

Blue flower with yellow bead and yellow & blue feather accents

Black flower with black feathers and one of my Grandmothers antique jeweled buttons

Black flower with white beads & feathers

Puffy flower group shot

Puffy flower made from Sari material

Puffy flower with double layer material in 3" squares

Puffy flower in 2" rounded square in lace

I saw a flower at Joann's that was puffy looking and I examined it to see how they made it. I used my Sizzix die cut Fun Flowers to create the first flower using sari material. I liked the look but knew not everyone has a die cut machine so I thought I would try making one with cutting squares. I also added mesh and doubled up the squares and this time using my hot glue gun created the double layered flower. The next flower I used lace and this time cutting 2" squares I rounded the end once I folded the square and really liked how this one turn out; it's more flower looking with the rounded edge.

See you on Saturday...

Flowers

2011-12-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

I'm really behind in getting this month's craft class ready; guess it's that time of year :-)

This Saturday we will be making flowers! I love flowers and there are so many styles out there it was difficult to pick which ones I wanted to make for this class.

I have 3 styles made and more to come so check back before Saturday to see what you will be making.

We will be using material, ribbon, paper and metal for this class and I finished the metal flowers, loopy flowers and the box pleat trim flowers and have photos below.

box pleat trim flowers: these flowers are so simple to make!

Loopy flowers: the instructions I found said to use felt which I did on the first ones than I experimented :-)

Loopy flower using material with a flatten bottle cap center

Loopy flower using ribbon: this one was challenging I don't recommend it. You can't use hot glue on this ribbon it's too messy. I used score tape on the base and it worked much better.

Loopy flowers using felt

Metal flowers: love these and they are really easy to make using a Big Shot, flower die cuts, embossing folders and sanding block.

There are so many things you can do with flowers it's amazing. You can use them on your cards, in your scrapbooks, hair accessories, on picture frames and so much more.

Next month's class will be a card technique class. Happy Holidays...

November 2011 Box Class

2011-11-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

Finally finished the boxes for tomorrow's class. I still need to make the baby carriage and tote bag samples for Monday night's box class at the MAC.

The boxes for this class are coffee cup, pyramid, butterfly, treat box card, cupcake and mini milk carton. Since Thanksgiving is a little over a week away and Christmas is just around the corner I Incorporated these holidays into the mix.

Below are photos of all the boxes. The one pyramid box I started with a white piece of card board and went crazy with distress inks and a set of steampunk stamps. It was a lot of fun to create and it turned out pretty well I must say.

Group shot of all the boxes

Butterfly Box - the pansies were made from a butterfly punch

Treat box card - it's a treat box and card all in one!

Coffee cup

Cupcake box

Mini milk carton

Pyramid box

Side 1 of pyramid box

Side 2 of pyramid box

Size 3 of pyramid box

Side 4 of pyramid box

top of the pyramid

bottom of pyramid

Next craft class will be December 10th and we will be making lots of flowers.

I Won!!!!!!

2011-11-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited I won 1st & 2nd place in Sunday's card competition theme "falling leaves"!!! I also took 3rd place on Saturday card theme "missing you"!

Below are a few photos from the 15th Annual Mesa Fall Rubber Stamp Show.

I'm so happy I still can't believe I won!

Falling leaves 1st place card

Falling leaves 2nd place card

Sorry for the horrible photo I couldn't get rid of the glare :-( I miss you theme card, 3rd place.

Next years themes are The Beauty of Vellum & I Need Coffee for the March 2012 show and Under the Sea & Chinese Art for the November 2012 show.

Craft Schedule for 2011/2012

2011-10-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post my paper craft classes for the remainder of the year and the first part of 2012. The below schedule is for both home studio classes and for the Mesa Arts Center.

I will post class codes for the Mesa Arts Center classes for 2012 when I get them both here and on my website, http://joyofbellydancing.com/classwrksp.htm.

Home Studio Workshops

November 12th - More Unusual Shaped Boxes – Another fun class making boxes in all shapes and sizes that are great for putting that special gift in for that special someone. Some of the boxes you will be creating will be a cup cake box, coffee cup and more, 6 boxes in all. All box templates and instructions will be included with the class so you can create more boxes at home for any occasion

December 10th - More flowers for your cards and other projects. Some of the flowers will included rolled, ribbon, loopy and more.

January 21st - Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Bargello, Crimped Diamond, Double Embossing, Faux Fabric, and Free Standing Card.

Workshops are held at Yasmina's place in downtown Mesa.
Please call and reserve your spot since space is limited - 480/962-6303.
Workshops are 3 hours in length from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Workshop fee is $20 (bring scissors and glue I supply everything else)

Mesa Art Center Classes

More Unusual Shape Boxes
Another fun class making boxes in all shapes and sizes that are great for putting that special gift in for that special someone. Some of the boxes you will be creating will be a baby carriage, tote bag, coffee cup and more, 6 boxes in all. All box templates and instructions will be included with the class so you can create more boxes at home for any occasion.
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
CAF11PC006-01 M Nov 14 / 6-9 pm $21

2012

Card Techniques 1- Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Black Magic, Distressed Glue, Faux Title and Easel Card
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
F Jan 27 / 6-9 pm $21

Card Techniques 2 - Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Direct to Paper, Misting with Markers and Diamond Fold Card
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
F Feb 17 / 6-9 pm $21

Mini Albums - In this class you will be creating 3 mini albums using 45 records, an album and a CD holder. The 45 records will create a book style album, the record album can be displayed on the wall or in a plate stand and the CD holder is a great gift to give to someone special. We will be creating a cover to hold a CD that contains music or family photos.
Bring to class scissors and your favorite glues. If you want to bring photos you may; not necessary for class. Supply cost $5 to be paid at class.
T March 6 / 6-9 pm

Paper Bag Album - This is a fun and simple project to create to remember a special occasion, your children, a grandchild, a favorite pet and more. Paper bags are a great interactive scrapbook with lots of places to create pockets, pull outs and use lots of embellishments. They allow your creative juices to flow! You will create a paper bag album with the theme of your choice. You can bring photos to class if you’d like; they are not necessary to create your album you can add them later.
Bring to class scissors and your favorite glues. Supply cost $5 to be paid at class.
W March 7 / 6-9 pm

Altered Books Workshop - An altered book is an art form that allows one to recycle and transform an existing book into a new work of art. Altered books can also be thought of as a journal or scrapbook. Take a theme, a trip, a hobby or an experience in life and create an altered book to tell your story. You will learn in this workshop how to create numerous pages and various techniques such as collaging, stitching, cutting windows, tags, folding pages, adding inserts, shadow boxes and more. You will use paints, glaze, stamps, paper, pictures, fiber, tags and more to create your unique altered book.

Bring to class a hardback book you would like to recycle along with scissors, your favorite glues and a theme in mind. If you don’t have a theme no problem. Books will be available if you don’t have one to recycle. Supply cost $5 to be paid at class.
T March 13 & W March 14 / 6-9 pm

Card Techniques 3 - Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Paper Buttons, Poppin' Pastels, Scallop Edge Medallion, Stamped Acrylic Block Background and Surprise Pop-up Card
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
F March 16 / 6-9 pm $21

Card Techniques 4 - Techniques to enhance your greeting cards and other projects. Techniques will include: Bargello, Crimped Diamond, Double Embossing, Faux Fabric, and Free Standing Card.
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
F April 20 / 6-9 pm $21

Flowers
Supply cost $5 to be paid at class – please bring scissors and your favorite glue.
F May 18 / 6-9 pm $21

register by calling the Mesa Arts Center box office, (480)644-6520, or drop off your registration at the Art Studios at the Mesa Arts Center lobby.
late registration call (480)644-6520
brochures are at the Mesa Arts Center or visit the Mesa Arts Center website, http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/classes/paperarts.

Hope to see you in one of the classes...

Competition Cards

2011-10-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished my cards for the card competition at the Mesa Fall Rubber Stamp Show on Nov. 5 & 6, 2011.

The categories are I Miss You and The Falling Leaves. The winners get $100 to spend at the show.

For the Falling Leaves I used the "emerging color" and "emboss resist" techniques. The I Miss You card techniques were "serigraph" and "crinkled chalk".

Below are my entries:

Group shot of all cards

Falling Leaves - emerging color technique

Falling Leaves - emboss resist technique

I Miss You - serigraph technique

I Miss You - crinkle chalk background technique

I'll post if I win :-) If I remember my camera I'll take photos of the winning cards and post them.

Holiday Card Class

2011-10-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the holiday card class! We will be making 5 cards this year including a gift card holder you can hang on the tree, shaker card and 3 cards from cute to elegant.

Below is a group photo of all the cards and close up shots of each card.

group shot

Cute stocking that you can hang on the tree with a surprise. To create this stocking I used Sizzix Holiday Stocking die cute from Stamp' Up.

Here you can see the gift card stuffed in the back.

Simple card with embossed back ground and cute pictures of the holidays.

Beautiful card with embossed background, ribbon and pine cones. I had a difficult time trying to get a good photo of this card; between my flash and the light color it's difficult to see the detail.

Sparkly shaker card using Nestabilities ornament die cut, designer paper and glitter.

Cute stockings hung in a row using Stampin' Ups new Stitched Stocking stamp set and Stocking Builder Punch to create this cute little card.

Next month we will be back to our regular 2nd Saturday craft class and we will be making unusual shape boxes; one of my favorite classes to teach.

September 2011 Card Class

2011-09-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

Wow two months in a row I'm early getting the projects ready for Saturday's class! This month's class we will be learning 4 techniques and making a Crimp Envelope Card.

The techniques are: Stamped Acrylic Block Background, Paper Buttons, Poppin' Pastels and Scallop Edge Medallion.

The stamped acrylic block background is so simple. I used Tim Holtz distress inks in yellow and orange to make the background behind the skull stamp. You apply the ink to an acrylic block with lightest color first and dark color on the outer edge. Mist with water and stamp onto card stock. The inside of the card I used the same color ink but used a sponge to apply the ink and to blend it. The bats are made using a retired Stampin' Up punch, "photo corners extra large". I trimmed one of the points from the punch to make ears and added googlie eyes.

Poppin' Pastels is created by using versa mark and chalk. I stamped the flower image using versa mark and with a dobber I applied yellow for the center of the flower and rose or purple chalk for the flowers; I also used green for the leaves. I cut around the flowers to give the card a scallop look.

To create the scallop edge medallion I used another Stampin' Up punch, "scallop edge border". I'm sure you can use any border punch you just need to figure out the size of the paper to create the medallion.

The crimp edge envelope card was another simple card to make. Seal an envelope and cut a side off to create the top. Apply any stamping and distressing before you crimp the envelope. Cut a piece of card stock or several if you want to layer for the inside greeting. I used the buttons on this project using another Stampin' Up punch, "boho blossoms punch" and a retired stamp set, "punch potpourri". Usually you would punch two holes in the buttons to make them look like buttons but I didn't want to ruin the flowers.

Below are photos of each project along with a group shot of everything.

Group shot

Stamped Acrylic Block Background

Poppin' Pastel

Scallop Edge Medallion

Crimp Envelope Card

Paper Buttons

I hope the have at least one recycle mini album done before class so you can see what the special class project will look like. This class is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 24th. I will be posting photos when they are done.

August 2011 Card Class

2011-08-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it I'm early posting this week's card class projects!!! We will be learning 3 different style of techniques: Direct to Paper, Misting with Markers and a Diamond Fold card.

The Direct to Paper technique is applying ink from an ink pad directly to paper. We will be making 3 different cards using this technique, one plain and two using an embossing folder in two different applications.

Misting with Markers technique gives your image a water color look. Using a variety of markers on a stamp then misting the stamp with water and applying it to water color paper or card stock. We will be using regular card stock in our project.

The last card is a Diamond Fold card which is really pretty simple to make. A few scores and some folds give you a unique shape card.

Below are photos of what we will be making on Saturday.

Group Shot

Direct to paper

Direct to Paper

Misting with Markers

Diamond Fold

Our next class will be on September 10th, hope to see you there.

Hair Accessories

2011-06-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

I've been busy making so many things and I'm really getting behind on posting photos of all my creations.

I started making hair accessories along with my jewelry. Here are some photos of hair adornments I have finished.

I'm making the flowers out of lace, ribbon and material along with custom tye-dyed coffee filters. Some of the flowers are from various die cuts I own others are from me sewing the lace or ribbon to create the flower. I'm adding feathers, buttons, jewelry, beads and what ever else I can find to decorate them.

cream lace flower with feathers and pearls

cream lace flower in hair

black lace and red material with black beads, red feathers and silver earring center

cream lace with button center & feathers

orange ribbon flowers with feathers

cream double lace flower with material and coffee filter die cut flowers with feathers, beads and button center

Back to creating more goodies for the two events coming up for vending.

Gift Card Boxes and Card Holders

2011-06-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

In May's craft class we made gift card boxes and gift card holders. I've been a little slow on posting projects it's been so crazy around here.

We made a couple of boxes one being a baby buggy and the other a little tote bag. The gift card holders were a simple card and a purse.

I also made a graduation box for my hubbies grandson who just graduated from High School. It looks complicated but it wasn't.

group shot of projects

tote bag

graduation box & card

June's craft class will be a button class were we will be making all kinds of jewelry and other items using buttons.

Lots of Jewelry and a Handbag!!!

2011-05-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy making jewelry and experimented with a jean handbag and having so much fun!!!

I've been asked to teach a craft workshop at a belly dance event so I thought I would teach how to make magnets out of bottle caps, dominos and puzzle pieces along with a bottle cap pendant using vintage belly dance graphics. I started flatting the bottle caps and since I'm vending my crafts at the 2nd Friday Night Out in downtown Mesa I branched out and used other vintage graphics for the bottle cap jewelry and magnets.

Using the bottle caps I created earrings, pendants and some charm bracelets. I'm having a very difficult time figuring out what I'm going to keep and what I will sell and at this point I'm keeping more than selling; yikes!!! :-)

I have also started creating bracelets with buttons and made up several last night using plastic buttons and metal buttons. I need to purchase some jump rings larger than what I have to create my next button bracelet.

While I was in the book purse making mode I created a purse out of a pair of my husband's old jeans and I'm shocked it turned out!!! I didn't have a pattern I saw a video on YouTube were this woman cut off the legs of the jeans and hand sewed across the bottom, put a handle on it and called it a purse. I took it a bit further and put a bottom in the purse along with lining and finished it by putting a scarf I had and two of my Grandmother's pins on the handle. I'm really pleased how it turned out and will be making more of these purses. I also created a t-shirt tote bag and will be making more of these also. These are great for a dance bag or taking to the grocery store.

Below are photos of some of my new creations.

Back to creating cards for this weekend's workshop...

Book Purse

2011-04-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Finally a sample of this weekend's project is done!!! I made this book purse using a plain book cover so I could embellish it a little.

After several attempts I finally found fabric that was easy to work with. The first book I did you will see at the workshop I used material that was a cotton blend and it's too heavy. I started this book with another cotton blend fabric and ripped it out due to it being too bulky and heavy and went with this pattern fabric of a nice light weight cotton so much easier to work with.

I found this fabric at Jo Ann's in the quilting section called a "fat quarter". I had enough for the lining, sides and center piece but not enough for a pocket. The "fat quarter" is 18" X 21" piece of fabric and my book is 8 1/2" X 5 1/2".

I purchased a purse handle from Jo Ann's and made the flower out of scraps from the lining and a piece of lace. I used two metal buttons, one the the purse clasp and the other for the center of the flower.

I finally found glue that would hold, Tacky Glue. I tried other fabric blue and I didn't like the results. I'm not a fan of a hot glue gun although I was getting pretty close to trying one :-)

All and all it turned out pretty cute and I'm sure the more I make these the easier and better I'm going to get at it.

Below of photos of this cute little purse.

Enjoy your week I'm off to make more jewelry for 2nd Friday Night Out on May 13th.

April Card Class

2011-04-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

I'm so far behind this month posting this month's card class. In tomorrow's class we will be making an easel card and the following techniques: black magic, distressed glue and faux title.

Below are the cards we will be making.

group shot

Black magic

close up

distressed glue

easel card

side view

faux title

On April 30th is the book purse making class. My goal is to have 3 purses made and posted soon.

Tonight is 2nd Friday Night Out in downtown Mesa and I will be selling some of my craft items along with some of my students will be performing. It's going to be a fun weekend with crafting and dancing!!!

Strawberry Box Flowers

2011-03-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

I'm making strawberry boxes for my friend Kyla who's trying to raise money for her dog Durango's medical bills.

I taught how to make these cute little boxes in one of my box classes and Kyla called me with her idea of selling the strawberries to raise funds for people who have large medical bills for their pets. She is calling it "Strawberry Sweets Forever".

Kyla owns Kyla's Keepsakes and makes beautiful hair pieces, jewelry and more and will be selling these strawberries when she is vending. Here next event in town will be at Downtown Mesa's 2nd Friday Night Out on April 8, 2011. Stop by her booth and pick up some strawberries.

Today I created something new and I call them strawberry flowers. It's the strawberry box with a candy kiss inside that I put on a bamboo skewer with paper leaves to be placed in a vase. A great little gift to give to that someone special for a birthday, anniversary, a thank you or just because.

Below is a photo of my new creation. I will be giving Kyla lots of these flowers for her to sell. If you would like some of these flowers you can contact me and I'll get them to you.

Have a great weekend...

Buttons, buttons who's got the buttons!

2011-03-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

I've been having so much fun creating jewelry and other goodies with buttons and I have more items to make still to create. I can't stop it's so addicting!!!

Below are photos of some of the items we will be making on June 18th for the button class.

Using some of my Grandmothers buttons to create this necklace pendant

I used new buttons to create this cute flower pendant

Love this button from my Grandmothers collection. I added a silver button at the bottom

Button bracelets

Buttons on large paper clips

Button key chain in the center surrounded by flower pins

I need to order more buttons so I can make the button flowers on stems, button rings, more bracelets and whatever else I can think of :0)

Have a great weekend...

Mini Album March Workshop

2011-03-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's class we will be making albums to show case those special moments in life.

We will be creating 4 albums using every day items. The first one is a pair of dominoes as the covers of the mini album. The theme I used for this cute little album was dance. I used alcohol inks for the background on the covers and applied cut outs of vintage dancers. Inside is accordion fold designer paper that I put dance quotes both front and back with more vintage dancers and stamped images throughout.

The next mini album I used playing cards. For the outside covers I used dies cuts or punches to create a design. I created 3 different inside pages for these albums. I stabled pages together and used clear tape to bind the cover to the pages. I punched holes and used ribbon to bind the pages and covers together and the last design was accordion fold album.

The square around album was fun to create it's all in the folding. I used 8" square designer paper to create these albums. Each section has a pocket to put your tags with photos or whatever you like.

The last album is using an old album! Behind each photo is a pull out page to journal on. My album is of my two puppies Nitro and Blue. Loved creating this one and it was pretty quick ones I decided on the photos
:-)

Below are photos of all the projects.

In two weeks I will be teaching a workshop using buttons. We will be making jewelry, magnets and more. I'll post photos once I get everything made.

February Box Class

2011-01-29T20:58:00.000-08:00

I love making boxes! They are so easy to make they just take forever to decorate :-)

I'm ahead of schedule and have made all the boxes for my two craft classes in February. The first class is on February 12th at my home studio and the class is almost full already. The box classes are so popular and so much fun.
The second class is at the Mesa Art Center (MAC) on Monday February 28th. The only box that will not be included in the MAC class will be the heart box since Valentine's Day will be over with.

The boxes we will be create are the cake box, scallop box, bon bon box, icicle box, button box, take out box and a surprise for both classes the strawberry boxes.

Below are pictures of all the projects for both classes plus photos of the cute heart boxes.

Photo of all the boxes

Bon bon boxes

Button boxes (I still need to finish the red one)

Cake box (love how these turned out)

Side view of the cake box. We will be making the paper roses also, bonus!

Showing the embossing on the top part of the box

Cute heart shape boxes using Nestabilities heart die cuts both plan and scallop

Boxes can hold several Ghirardelli squares; yum!

Icicle treat box

Top of icicle treat box showing the felt flowers

Scallop box with flowers made from pages of a book

Strawberry boxes, perfect to hold a candy Kiss

Take out box, sorry no decoration yet

For registration information for both classes please see my website with all the details.

Take care and hope to see you in class...

2011 Calendar Craft Class

2011-01-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

This is the calendar that we will be making on January 22nd. It's made with die cuts and I can't wait to see what you all create. The base will look like mine but your months will be totally different; ladies it's time to be creative!!

Check out my other craft classes on my website for the first part of this year in both my home studio and at the Mesa Art Center. Several specialty classes coming up in March and April. March will be a button class making jewelry, cards and more with buttons and April we will make a purse using a book. Hope to see you in one of my classes.

December Card Class

2010-12-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

December is turning out to be a very busy month hence the late post on this month's card class.

It was my annual holiday party card class so it was filled with games, food and crafting; a very fun class. Thanks to everyone that brought their favorite holiday treat.

This month was a technique class and due to every one's busy schedule we only made 4 projects. The techniques were Retiform, Serigraph, Smooch Spritz Resist, and a waterfall card.

Below are photos from the class.

Group shot of all cards

Retiform

Smooch Spritz Resist

Serigraph

Waterfall Card

Check out my website to see my craft schedule for both my home studio and the Mesa Art Center.

Take care and hope to see you in class...

Cabaret Belly Dance Bra Cards

2010-11-24T18:19:00.000-08:00

I've been busy making 18 cabaret belly dance bra cards for a customer in VA. It's been awhile since I've created anything flashy :-)

I hope this weekend to create some new bracelets and pendants I'll post them when they are done.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...

November Card Class

2010-11-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

Our unusual card class is tomorrow, boy were does time fly????

We will be making 4 unusual shaped cards and 1 cute little box! This month's class will include an apron to hold a recipe card or what ever you'd like, cute little onesie card perfect for a new arrival or a shower, a purse with a surprise inside that will also hold a small gift like a gift card, a hexagon petal card and a cute little box.

Below are photos of all our projects.

Group shot of all our projects

Apron card to hold recipes, invitation to a barbecue, place over a bottle of wine with a note and so much more

Purse card open

Cute onesie card

Hexagon petal card closed and open view

Great little box to hold those small gifts

Enjoy and next month we will be learning new techniques and having our holiday party.

New Belly Dance Art

2010-11-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

I've been busy creating new belly dance art. Some of the items are old favorites like my magnets and some new creations, candles!

I took some photos of all the new things I've been making and will hopefully get these posted on my Shimmy Bliss website for purchase soon.

Enjoy...

Holiday Card Class

2010-09-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

I finally had some time to start creating the cards and boxes for this years holiday card class on October 9th.

Today was crafting day and I made the origami box, gift card holder and one of the cards.

I finally had a chance to take photos of the finished projects. I've added the vintage card, match box and diaroma card.

Origami boxes

Close up of the size we will be making in class

Gift card holder

Close up of outside of gift card holder

Postcard stamp holiday card

Close up of postcard holiday card. It is difficult to see the iridescent shimmer over the image

Photo of all the projects

Diaroma card

3 match boxes

vintage tag holiday card

I have one more card, the shaker card to take a photo of I can't believe I forgot too!

Enjoy your week...

Belly Dance Bra Cards

2010-09-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

I finally had a chance to create a new line of belly dance cards. My friend Rachel came over on Saturday and we started making both cabaret and tribal bra cards.

Also on Saturday Kyla, Kelley and Debbie were over working on their altered books; Kyla is almost done with her Vampire book it's looking really cool.

We were only able to get 6 of the bra cards done on Saturday since we took a break and went to have Thai food and then we needed to get ready to go see the USA Belly Dance Queen competition held that night.

I finished up the bra cards yesterday making more tribal than cabaret although I did make one cabaret card :-)

Below are photos of our creations.

Cards from Saturday and Sunday

Close up of my cards

Rachel's cards are on the right column; my favorite is her tribal card top right corner!

First cards that Rachel made; thanks Rachel for the help I couldn't have done it without you.

I have 10 corset cards folded and ready to be embellished I will post them as soon as I get them finished.

Enjoy your week...

Mesa Art Center Box Class

2010-08-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wow what a fun and very stressful class at the Mesa Art Center! The week started with being interviewed by Jessica Testa a reporter from the Arizona Republic. You can read the article online at Azcentral.com.

This is the first class I have taught for 17 students! It took me all day Sunday and all day Monday to prepare for this class cutting, scoring and designing all the boxes.

Thank goodness I had help from Rachel the night of the class I know I wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Rachel, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! You rock girl :-)

It was so worth it the students were wonderful and so much fun! The puffy box is not an easy box to grasp when making the template and I was so pleased the entire class had no problem with this box at all; ladies you were awesome!!!

Thank you for such a fun time I hope you enjoyed the class and are making lots and lots of boxes.

Below are the projects we made.

Group shot of all boxes

Starting to the left the bright pink boxes are the explosion boxes then the triangle box with one of the puffy boxes at the bottom right corner

Box in a bag is top center with triangle box in the center and puffy boxes at the bottom

Mini pizza box with the small window treat boxes at the bottom of photo

Puffy boxes and window treat boxes

The next paper craft class at the Mesa Art Center will be on Monday August 20th with more card techniques.

Have a great week...

Lots and Lots of Flowers - August Craft Class

2010-08-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

We did something different for the August craft class we made 6 different style flowers and 3 projects.

This was a fun class although there was a little bit of whining about having to do a little sewing :-) The class loved the project and flowers that involved a needle and thread; thank goodness I was a little worried about these flowers.

Below are photos of the flowers and projects we made.

Group shot of all the flowers and projects

Carnations using tissue paper

Sewing project and flowers. A cute vintage look using felt to create a gift card holder with gathered lace to create the flower

Two different style flowers one using ribbon with news print flower and scalloped news print flowers

Roses made with scallop flower punch

Paper rosettes with envelope gift holder

My favorite project was the felt gift card holders and I see making lots of these for Christmas.

Next craft class will be on Sept. 11th.

Altered Book is Finished; almost :0)

2010-08-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

My altered book is finished inside now I just need to finish up the cover!!!

Below are photos of the rest of my book.

Key page with turning wheel displaying 4 different images

Pop up page with side pockets holding postcards

Bubble wrap painted page with tags

Painted edge page with bottle caps

Filmstrip page

String art page

My next altered book will be of our new puppies Nitro and Blue. I'm taking lots of photos and I can't believe how fast they are growing; they are almost 4 months old now.

More Altered Book Pages

2010-07-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Last week has been a really busy week and I haven't had any time to work on my altered book. Below are a few more pages and I will be spending a lot of time this week on getting it finished in time for our class.

frame page

envelope door page

shadow box behind envelope

weaving

folded pages with sewing

Mosaic

See you on Saturday...

Altered Book Class

2010-07-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have started my altered book for the July 17th altered book class. I'm having a lot of fun with this creating my masterpiece.

Below are photos of what I have done so far. My goal is creating a page per day and so far I am on track.

pocket pages

window tag

collage page

4 pocket page

window page

next page of window

frame page

sewn in envelope

back of envelope

round doors revealing photos

tag page

back of tag page

Enjoy the photos I will be posting more photos soon.

Cookie Sheet Calendar Finally Done!!!!!

2010-06-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my cookie sheet calendar and it's hung on the wall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I'm still doing a few updates to it but its on the wall :0)

I placed two mini envelopes at the bottom entitled "birthdays" and "special occasions" to place a list of family and friend events. I was going to place them with in the match boxes but I figured that would be too much work opening each match box monthly to see who is having a birthday or occasion. Guess I'm getting lazy in my old age :-)

Next big project is the altered book!

June Unusual Shape Card Class

2010-06-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was such a fun class; thanks everyone that joined in on the fun.

We made a variety of cards and fun shaped items in class: corset, shoe, wallet and bra & panty cards. Below are photos of what we made in class.

Next month will be a variety of flowers to place on cards and other items on July 10th along with a class on Altered Books on July 17th.

Enjoy your week and take care...

Shoes

2010-06-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the unusual shape card class were we will be making a corset card, faux leather wallet, a surprise set of cards and this adorable gift holder, a shoe. These shoes are adorable and perfect to hold small gifts.

I found the template online and the artist, Pam Curtis had two designs so I made them both.

Have a great week...

New Bracelets

2010-06-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Since it was Memorial Day weekend and all kinds of sales were going on I went to Michael's to pick up some craft goodies. While I was there I wanted to make a bracelet using bottle caps so I picked up a couple of bracelet chains and cool charms to add to my bracelets.

I flatten the bottle caps first than used alcohol inks in latte and copper to paint the caps to match the chain. I took some of my vintage belly dance photos, pages from an old book, some rhinestones and pieces from a watch to decorate the bottle caps. I used crystal lacquer to adhere the photos and embellishments to the bottle caps. Using jump rings I attached the bottle caps and charms to the bracelet chain and presto a beautiful piece of wearable art!

Cookie Sheet Calendar

2010-05-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my cookie sheet calendar!!!

I learned so much from creating this 1st one I know what I will change on the next one!

I'm changing the background to a solid paper since the retro ads are taking away from all the goodies on the match boxes. I will also choose a few papers for the match boxes instead of so many different patterns. The last thing I'm going to change is the size of the month plaques to be a bit smaller.

Cookie sheet covered with retro ads

Cookie sheet with background, month plaque and days of the week on flatten bottle caps

Month plaques

Finished cookie sheet calendar

Plain background, still need work!

Ladies bring all your collectibles with you on Saturday and lets get creative!

Corset Card

2010-05-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

A friend send me a photo of a corset card and I loved it!!! Here is the link to the creator of this fabulous card so you can get inspired or purchase her work.

I searched the Internet for instructions on how to fold a corset and found them so I will be teaching this card in my June card class along with several other fun and unusual shaped cards.

I used a 12 X 12 sheet of designer paper for this card. You can make them any size the smallest so for that I have made is with a 5 X 5 piece of paper to fit on the outside of a card.

Till my next blog take care and have fun crafting...

Catching up with card classes

2010-05-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wow I haven't blogged since March!!! Where does time fly??? :-)

I have held 2 card classes since my last post so I'm combining April and May's classes.

April we did more techniques: Crinkle Chalk, Emerging Color, Fauz Bleach, Tri-shutter card and Spotted Background.

Crinkle chalk

Emerging color

Faux bleach

Spotted background

Tri-shutter card

May was another class of techniques: Faux Cloisonne, Drunken Chalk, Rubber Cement Resist, Acrylic Distress and a Double Pocket Card.

Faux cloisonne and Drunken chalk

Double pocket card

Rubber cement resist

Acrylic distress

Card making Saturday

2010-03-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am blessed with being surrounded by wonderful friends. A week ago Rachel and Kelley came over to help me make belly dance cards for my dear friend Susan in Montana and to see and play with all the goodies Rachel purchased the main toy being her new Circuit machine; wow!!!

Susan wanted 3 styles of cards a reverse open card, a pinwheel card and one of my favorites a card using micro beads.

The reverse open card is not one of my favorite cards to make I need a better tool to cut the half circles with. Once I find this new tool I'll like making these cards again. Rachel learned a new card style and cut all the reverse cards for me! :0) Kelley embossed all the camels for the cards this was a new technique for her.

Camel reverse card

The pinwheel cards are made with a tag punch and folding 8 tags to make the pinwheel. That day we made a different color scheme that is what pictured. The next day I didn't like our color choices so I made new cards and placed vintage belly dance slides in the middle of the pinwheels. Kelley had made smaller belly dance slides on Saturday and framed the edges with micro beads. I took these slides off the cards and made them into magnets and sent them to Susan; she loves belly dance magnets!

pinwheel card 1

pinwheel card 2

pinwheel card 3

The last cards we made on March 20th were the micro bead cards. This card is very plain but striking; I love it! I stamped the veiled dancer on card stock and Rachel covered the card stock with clear micro beads. You can also cover the card stock with micro beads first and than stamp the image either way works it gives it a different look.

micro bead card

When we finished with the cards Rachel showed us all the new things she's been purchasing. We got to play with her new Circuit machine. I had no idea how much this machine could do I was totally amazed at all the features.

Our day was cut short when the hubby came home from working :-( There are more Saturdays in our future for crafting :-)

Thanks ladies for all the help we need to do this again.

More Mini Albums

2010-03-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

I finally had a chance to post the last two mini albums we made in class on Saturday!

The envelope album is really cool for holding lots of folders. I added a piece of card stock into each envelope with it's own unique title to journal on; this helps to organize your album and the days event. Very simple album to make just takes forever to decorate but that's were all the fun is :0)

envelope album closed with a ribbon

envelope album open inside view

close-up of inside view

photos and journal card from one envelope

back side of envelope album

The CD holder was a huge hit in class. A great gift idea for music or photo CDs and a great keepsake for those special memories.

CD album of my photo shoot from July 2008

opening the top and bottom of album to reveal the first flap

view of 2nd flap after opening first flap

CD album completely opened

close-up of CD, I stamped the label along with computer generated text and photo

back of CD album that covers ribbon and brad that holds the CD in place

Next months class will be April 10th with more fun techniques.

May 22nd will be a special class on making the cookie sheet calendars I'll have lots of photos when my calendar is finished!!!

Enjoy your week...

Mini Albums

2010-03-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'm having so much fun making these mini albums for our class on Saturday March 13th. So far I have finished making 2 of the 4 we will be creating.

Name badge mini album

Treat bag mini album

Each mini album has its own theme and they are great little scrapbooks. The first one I used plastic name badge holders to create a little book of my class’s performance at the County Fair in 2009. Photos, bits and pieces, lots of fiber and quotes make up this little treasure.

inside pages

back side of inside pages

inside view of 2 pages

back of album

The 2nd mini album I used small treat bags and added a cover out of designer paper. I call it "My Garden" and went around our yard and snapped photos of trees, bushes, garden art and plants I have in my garden. Of course the book is full of embellishments and garden quotes and poems. I love using paper bags no matter what size; there are so many places to create pockets to slide photos in plus the main pockets for journaling.

Inside treat bag mini album

photo behind grow flap

pocket created from bottom flap of bag

one of 3 pull out tabs

For class we will be making a CD holder, a special album for music or a photo CD to remember an event in your life and an envelope album to place lots of photos for those special moments we have.

If we have time I'd like to create a password journal from a journal refill and an old hard back boo; more on this when I find all the bits to make it. This journal is a place to house all those passwords we have for various websites, user groups, etc.

Enjoy your week and see some of you on Saturday for class...

Catching up on Crafting

2010-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

It has been way too long since my last post, super busy with dancing and life and it will be so great to get back to crafting again!!!

I taught a technique card class at the Mesa Art Center on Feb. 8th. There were 5 different techniques I taught: shaving cream, marble, rubber band, smacking acetate and burnt batik.

group shot of all the cards we made in class

The shaving cream technique we did the tag on top of the box. It's amazing how you get such a cool marble effect from cheap shaving cream and ink refillers.

shaving cream

Placing rubber bands on your brayer and running them over a stamp pad gives you cool effects on plan paper. We did the front of the valentine card using red and pink ink and crossing the paper in different directions. The inside of this card the valentine hearts are attached to thin pieces of acetate for a very fun card and a total surprise when you open the card. This would be great for any occasion by using candles, Halloween ghosts; whatever.

rubber band

inside card

We made a very simple card with the smackin' acetate technique. Using markers and a spray bottle of water along with a piece of acetate gives you a nice water color effect on your paper.

smackin' acetate

Marbles some ink refillers and a container with a lid creates a fun design on your paper and a whole lot of noise!! :-) This is a fun technique and very simple for the results you get.

marbles

Have you ever over heated your embossing? Well turn it into burnt batik were you over heat your embossing on purpose! Once your paper has cooled add ink refillers by using a sponge and wipe the ink from the paper when it has dried. The ink comes off the areas that you over embossed.

burnt batik

The valentine card with all the hearts coming out of the envelope we didn't make in class this was my hubby's valentine card for this year. I didn't have a picture of it so I placed it in with this lot of cards :0)

hubbies Valentine

On Feb. 20th I taught a card class at my hope studio where we learned 4 new techniques. The techniques were Joseph's Coat, paper frame, cracked glass and bouncing brayer.

group shot of cards we made on the 20th

Joseph's Coat is similar to the crayon technique we did as kids. To start the process brayer on color from a multi-colored ink pad to you have it to the desired brightness. Emboss your design and when it cools brayer over the piece with black ink. After your paper dries rub the background using a paper towel to reveal the image in all it's color.

Joseph's Coat (sorry the photos dark)

The paper frame is quick and easy way to display a photo or cute stamp image. It really makes the subject of your card pop!

picture frame

I have always wanted to try the cracked glass technique and finally did and it was much easier than I thought it would be. Stamp your image and color it in. Emboss your paper using thick embossing powder around 3 - 4 times making the embossing really thick. Let it sit and cool than when you bend the paper the embossing cracks like glass when it's been hit with something. I rubbed the piece with a dabber and brown ink to bring out the cracks.

cracked glass

The last technique was the bouncing brayer that was a lot of fun. The real colorful background I used a multi-colored ink pad which I liked the best. I cut out a circle using my 1 1/4" circle punch and taped it on my card stock before I bounced my brayer to create the sunset tye dye effect. Using black ink I silhouetted the flowers on top and added butterflies from my Sizzix embossilits die cut.

bouncing brayer

Our next class will be mini albums on March 13th so I need to get busy and start crafting!

Belly Dance Magnets

2010-01-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

Last week was so busy I didn't have time to post any crafts. My belly dance classes start this week and my annual swap meet is on Saturday!!!

Today I crafted and made some new style belly dance magnets using puzzle pieces, stamps, vintage belly dance photos and bits and pieces for embellishments.

I also made more magnets using the vintage belly dance photos and microscope slides and silver, gold or copper tape around the edges to finish them off.

I love how both styles of magnets turned out so I see making more in my future :-)

2010-01-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Crafters...Finally I have all the cards made for this Saturday's card class!!!!

This is going to be a fun class with techniques like acrylic paint smash, acrylic paint resist, two baby wipe techniques using them as a stamp pad and making a plaid background, kissing technique and adding color with an embossing folder.

Below is a photo of all the cards we will be making in class.

The first valentine card we will be making is using a vintage valentine that I found in an antique store a couple of years ago. I'm finally having a chance to use them. I found a bag full of old valentines some dating back to 1939. I love this card if I do say so myself :-) The background is embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I dabbed ink on one side of the folder than placed my paper in the folder and ran it through my Sizzix machine to get the colored effect. The inside of the card I embossed one side of the paper and used a dabber and lightly rubbed ink over the embossing for a different look. I folded the ribbon, added a heart shape button, a little piece of red netting behind the vintage valentine to complete my card.

The next valentine card is the acrylic paint resist. I used the acrylic paint dabbers that I picked up from Michael's. The colors I used were silver, gold and copper. I used several of my Grandmother's buttons on these cards also along with cream netting, a paper heart, small clothes pin, cream trim and a February calendar from Mystic Paper. I embossed very vanilla card stock using clear embossing powder, dabbed the acrylic paint, blended the paint and let it air dry. Using a paper towel rub the card stock and the paint will rub off where the embossing is; very cool effect. I'm going to make my Mom's birthday card using this technique and add some of my Grandmother's buttons; she'll love it.

The below card is the kissing technique. I used a butterfly stamp as the base and inked it up using cameo coral ink. Taking a stamp with a pattern and inking it up in chocolate chip I stamped the butterfly stamp with the patterned stamp then stamped the paper. This is a very simple technique with a cool effect.

I really like the baby wipe techniques especially using the wipes as an ink pad. What a great way to customize colors you want to use instead of being limited to the rainbow color stamp pads on the market.

The acrylic paint smash is a blast to do. This is really messing which makes this technique so much fun!!!! To get the smash you apply the color or colors of acrylic paint and smash it between acetate and paper. No need to glue the pieces together when the paint dries they are stuck together :-) I first used the Top Note Sizzix die to cut the acetate and card stock than I stamped the acetate with StazOn ink, applied the acrylic paint to the wrong side of the acetate and smashed it to very vanilla card stock for the card with the button and white card stock to the other card. I like the very vanilla card background the best. Add embellishments to your card and you have a card that people ask "how did you do that?"

Enjoy your week and have fun crafting...

Antique Button Charm Bracelet

2009-12-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today's craft is a button bracelet I made using my Grandmother's buttons.

When my Grandmother passed away I received 3 bottles of buttons and stored them away for years not knowing what to do with them. I was surfing the web the other day and came across a bracelet made with buttons and knew what I was going to do with my Grandmother's buttons.

This is my first attempt at making a bracelet and I'm pretty pleased with the results. I was going to sew the buttons on a piece of elastic and found a charm bracelet kit at Jo Ann's. The kit comes with two lengths of chain, two clasps, headpins and two different styles of jump rings. I used the antique brass finish on this bracelet since I was working with brown buttons.

It didn't take very long to make the bracelet once I figured out what I was doing. I laid out the pattern of buttons first and than started to assemble the bracelet. My original pattern didn't work I couldn't use some of the buttons I wanted to so I just started to play and below in the photos is what I created.

I will be using the buttons I couldn't in this project on the elastic band, they are better suited for sewing not attaching with jump rings they are too large. I'll post more photos when I've created more button bracelets.

Top Note Money Holders

2009-12-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

I have decided to separate my crafting from my dance blog and this is my first entry for my craft blog. My plan is to add a new craft each week to this blog and we'll see how far I get in 2010 :0)

My darling hubby wanted me to create cards for his grand kids for Christmas. He always gives them money since what do you give to teenagers! Money is definitely the safest thing to give :-)

I found a tutorial for the Top Note die as a gift card holder and adapted it for a money holder; it wasn't that difficult thank goodness. Here's the link to the tutorial I found online by Amber Chapman.

Here's a photo of all 3 money holder cards that I made. The guitar player card was made with the Ink, Spray & Smash technique and the skate boarder technique was with shaving cream; I love these techniques they are simple and really messy!

The Ink, Spray and Smash technique is done with glossy white paper, your choice of colors for the ink and a spray bottle with water. I used Yoyo Yellow, Real Red and Brilliant Blue ink refillers from Stampin' Up for the colors.

Start with the lightest color ink and drop 2 - 3 drops on one piece of glossy white paper. Continue with the other colors and spray at least twice with water on both sheets of glossy paper and smash glossy sides together. What's so nice about this technique you get two background pieces to work with. Pull paper apart and set aside to die.

I stamped the card with the Extreme Guitar stamp from Stampin' Up and stamps from a retired stamp set from Stampin' Up called Groovy. I cut the background with the Top Note die and attached it to the card.

This card was very simple and I used the pine tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set and Extreme Snowboard both from Stampin' Up to create this card. I dabbed light blue ink to create a little sky so it looks like the snowboarder is flying through the air.

I used the large oval die cut from Sizzix and attached it to the large scalloped oval die from Nestabillities. Using the Top Note die from Stampin' Up Sizzix collection I used black for the money holder and trimmed a piece of white card stock for the background. I did the same for the inside of the card so I could stamp the sentiment.

The background for this money holder was created with shaving cream and ink refillers. I love the marble effect you get with this technique and it's so simple.

Purchase the cheapest white shaving cream you can find and spray the shaving cream onto a paper plate. I used Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red ink refillers and placed several drops of each color on top of the shaving cream. I used a plastic knife to draw through the shaving cream turning the plate to mix the colors. Be sure not to over stir the shaving cream the colors will blend too much and become muddy.

I used tags that I had purchased and was able to make 10 tag backgrounds with this one plate of shaving cream. Put a tag or paper into the shaving cream and tap it down; pull the tag out and set aside and continue the process. I have a small plastic scraper that I use to scrap the shaving cream off the tags you can use a plastic knife also. When you remove the shaving cream it creates a marble pattern on the tag.

I stamped the tag with the Extreme Skateboard stamp from Stampin' Up and cut a black background 1/4" inch larger than the tag to make it pop.

This is the inside of one of the money holder cards. In the fold I cut a slit for the money to stick in.

Have a great holiday season and a very happy New Year...